See firsthand the historic WWI battlefields of Somme, Verdun, Argonne and the Marne Valley.

Honor our fallen soldiers during private ceremonies held at American cemeteries.

Enjoy a special champagne-tasting lunch in the hills of France where this famous beverage is produced.

Some wars name themselves. This is the Great War.” This statement from MacLean’s Magazine in 1914 gave name to a conflict that would forever change the world and usher in a new age of warfare. On the 100th anniversary of WWI, join us on a remarkable voyage through time and across the Atlantic, as we trace the events of the Great War and see firsthand the battlefields and cemeteries that retain its legacy.

Old Cuba is fantastic and should be seen before it's spoiled by capitalism.
January 2017

5.0

Value 5.0

Guide 5.0

Activities 4.0

Lodging 4.0

Transportation 5.0

Meals 3.0

This was my wife's and my first trip with Road Scholar. At the time (April, 2012), it was not possible for Americans to directly visit Cuba. You had to do it with a cultural/educational group, often associated with a university. Or, you could fly to Canada, Mexico, or Europe first and then get a flight to Cuba from there (while risking a ~$10,000 fine from the US Government). We opted for the legal route with Road Scholar.

It was a fantastic trip! We had a small-ish group of about 20 people and a wonderful guide, José Luis (who, like most Cubans, had never been off the island).
The trip began in Miami where we had an orientation and spent the night. Then we flew to Havana and stayed in the Hotel Nacional for four nights. It doesn't get more historic -- or fun -- than the Nacional:
https://vimeo.com/41612444

While in Havana, we enjoyed great history/culture lectures from experts, toured various parts of Havana (including Hemmingway's home in the hills nearby), and, on our own, had the opportunity to have dinner at a paladar -- a restaurant inside someone's home.

The Cuban people are friendly but the infrastructure of their country is in shambles. It's been a long time since Russia's deep pockets left the island (1991), and you see poverty everywhere. But not the begging-in-the-street kind. Cuba provides universal health care, education (including room and board all the way through grad/med school!), food staples, and a very modest income (~$30/month) to everyone. Most people add to that income by working on the side.

After Havana, we traveled to Cienfuegos. From there we saw the infamous Bay Of Pigs, but also the wonderful Benny Moré Art School where we learned of the fantastic support for the arts by the Cuban government. Children are identified in grade school as having artistic talent and then funneled into magnet schools like Benny Moré to study art for their entire scholastic career!

Don't go to Cuba for the food. It's edible (and won't make you sick) but rather boring. You mainly get the "three amigos": fish, pork, or chicken, along with rice and/or black beans. But the aged rum is superb and so are the cigars!

Probably my favorite thing on the island, though, was the music -- whether on the street or in a more formal setting:
https://vimeo.com/43273083

Operator Road Scholar

D

Dianne

Recommends

Best trip I ever took!
October 2016

5.0

Value 5.0

Guide 5.0

Activities 5.0

Lodging 5.0

Transportation 5.0

Meals 5.0

Loved the variety of different hotels, the expertise of the individual tour guides, the meals and especially the beautiful countryside. All 17 of us on the t rip got to know each other well, thanks to the kindness, the personality and the organizational skill of Mark, our tour director. Keep up the good work!

Operator Road Scholar

C

Charles640

Recommends

Sunrise, Sunset, Learning Photography
August 2016

5.0

Value 4.0

Guide 5.0

Activities 5.0

Lodging 4.0

Transportation 5.0

Meals 4.0

Road Scholar offers many tours starting in Utah. The one I took focused of photography of the National Parks in Utah, with a professional photographer traveling with us. The schedule was set up such that we would get "the golden light" at each of the parks. Those not familiar with the term must know that the best light occurs at either sunrise or sunset, when the impact of the sun on objects is diffused by having to travel through the earth's atmosphere on a diagonal rather than vertically.

As such, you can now expect that sleep will be an issue as you will get to bed late and rise early. But the territory is beautiful at all times, and more so illuminated by the golden light.

In order to maximize your sleeping ability, the tour is only offered in the spring and the fall. Doing this in the winter would be pretty cold and require special equipment to traverse the snow. Doing it in the summer would basically mean no sleep as the daylight is so long.

Operator Road Scholar

J

Jerilynn

Recommends

Thank you Road Scholar
July 2016

5.0

Value 5.0

Guide 5.0

Activities 5.0

Lodging 5.0

Transportation 5.0

Meals 5.0

Thank you Road Scholar Staff for planning a wonderful introduction to Cuba today. My previous knowledge was from people who felt they had to leave Cuba more than fifty years ago. I learned from qualified professors, tour guides and from talking to Cuban people from different parts of Cuba who work in different kinds of jobs. I could see how the Cuban people have come together to meet the challenges of the past and to prepare for a brighter future.

Operator Road Scholar

Afternoon: Check in at hotel and take some time to settle into your room before meeting for orientation.

Dinner: Be welcomed by your group leader for your Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Meet Course Director Colonel Andrew Duff. Take this time to get to know your fellow participants better.

Day 2: Embarking on the Queen Mary 2

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel.

Morning: Walk to the World Trade Center Museum and 9/11 Memorial.

Lunch: Lunch on your own to explore the many culinary delights of New York. You may wish to wait for lunch until you have boarded QMII. A late lunch will be served on board ship.

Afternoon: 1:00pm Group transfer from your hotel to the Queen Mary 2 boarding dock. Take some time to unpack and familiarize yourself with the ship. After the safety drill, familiarise yourself with the many facilities of the ship. Enjoy a variety of shipboard-enrichment activities during each of your afternoons and evenings as you sail to London and your learning adventure. Experience the Cunard Insights guest lecture series, which explores historical and contemporary issues presented by speakers including explorers, academics, former ambassadors and politicians, historians and scientists, novelists, biographers and award-winning actors and film makers. If you are an avid reader, take advantage of the Book Club and literary discussions with librarians, or choose from a wide range of classes such as watercolors, computer lessons, wine tasting, ballroom dancing and more, or enjoy bridge and board games. On deck, games and more active entertainment are available. You can exercise in the fitness center, walk around the Promenade Deck, swim in one of the pools, play tennis, or take exercise classes such as yoga and Pilates. In the Royal Court Theatre, enjoy singers and dancers in stage shows. There are movies in the cinema, and the bars and lounges throughout the ship feature pianists, jazz bands and string quartets. Hear the Julliard School jazz series and take part in the Royal Night Theme Balls. Polish your acting skills with one-hour workshops with actors who spent three years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Or simply take Afternoon Tea and enjoy the Maritime Quest exhibition throughout the ship

Dinner: Enjoy your first dinner on board the ship. Taken in the Britannia Restaurant at 6:00pm. Delicious menus designed by Cunard’s Global Culinary Ambassador, Jean-Marie Zimmermann await you in Britannia and Britannia Club Restaurants. Make a dramatic entrance down the grand staircase into the elegant Britannia two tier dining room and revel in the sumptuous menus and perfectly attentive service.

Evening: At leisure. See a show tonight in the ballroom, or relax and watch a movie in the theatre, or perhaps wander to one of the bars for a beverage and chat. Or wander through the stacks of the library, one of the best shipboard libraries available, find a book and that perfect reading chair.

Day 3: Crossing the Atlantic: Prelude to Armageddon & World War I

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you may choose from among the many available activities on board.Join special Cunard guests music legends Crosby Still and Nash as they hold a series of concerts featuring their greatest hits such as "Teach your Children" and "Wooden Ships" in the Royal Court Theatre. They will also hold a Q&A session and sign autographs. You might take Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room, attend a lecture presented by one of Cunard's guest speakers, view a planetarium show, join a book discussion, participate in an art auction, compete in a bridge tournament, relax in one of the deckchairs and watch the horizon... just to name a few of your activity choices!

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Day 4: Crossing the Atlantic: WWI Academic Presentations

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you may choose from among the incredible variety of onboard activities. At 5:00 PM, join your group leader for a welcome cocktail party and your orientation to the Queen Mary II. Learn about the myriad of activities available to you each day.

Dinner: Join together for a group dinner at 6:00 PM in the Britannia Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Day 5: Crossing the Atlantic: WWI Academic Presentations

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you may take advantage of the many educational, social and physical activities available on board - or simply relax in one of the deck chairs with a view of the glistening Atlantic.

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Day 6: Crossing the Atlantic: WWI Academic Presentations

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Lecture: "1916 - the French and Verdun" Lecture: "1916 - The Somme".

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: You can grab a ticket for this afternoon's planetarium show, polish your bridge skills during a tournament, or perhaps retreat to the spa for a massage.

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Day 7: Crossing the Atlantic: WWI Academic Presentations

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Lecture: "The War at Sea" Lecture: "1917 The French/ British Offensives".

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you can take time to enjoy onboard life and the many opportunities for education, games, socializing and relaxing.

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Day 8: Crossing the Atlantic: WWI Academic Presentations & Wrap Up

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Lecture: "Technology of War" Lecture: "The AEF". Later enjoy another lecture: "1918 - German and Allied Offensives". Wrap Up and preview of the upcoming land and site visits" led by Col. Andrew Duff.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon take time to prepare for disembarking and perhaps enjoy a few final activities onboard.

Dinner: Farewell ship board group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs.Discuss the logistics of disembarking as well as what to expect during the UK and France component of your program.

Day 9: Disembark, War Memorials, Cenotaph, Remembering the Fallen

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Millennium Gloucester Hotel

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you get ready to disembark

Morning: Field Trip: - The Grave of the Unknown Soldier, - The London Cenotaph, - The Royal Air Force Memorial and - The Royal Artillery Memorial. On-Site Lecture/Field Trip: During and after the First World War, Britain’s attitude towards war memorials altered. Instead of commemorating military triumph, the emphasis fell on the ordinary soldier. War memorials became a permanent reminder of the sacrifice made by so many servicemen and women and the bereavement of those they left behind. There are hundreds of war memorials across London. The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is a unique expression of national homage devoted to the remembrance of those who have given their lives in war. It was originally conceived as a commemoration of the war dead of the First World War but after the Second World War the scope of the ceremony was extended to focus on the nation's dead of both World Wars, and in 1980 it was widened once again to extend the remembrance to all who have suffered and died in conflict in the service of their country and all those who mourn them.

Lunch: Lunch on your own in London

Afternoon: Field trip to Westminster Abbey. In the floor just inside the great west door, in the centre of the nave, is the tomb of The Unknown Warrior, an unidentified British soldier killed on a European battlefield during the First World War. He was buried in the Abbey on 11 November 1920. There are many graves in the floors of the Abbey, but this is the only grave on which it is forbidden to step. Sixteen Great War poets are commemorated on a slate stone unveiled 11 November 1985, in the South Transept (Poets' Corner).

Dinner: Dinner at or near the hotel.

Evening: "War Horse has been produced by the Handspring Puppet Company in conjunction with the National Theatre. It started life as a children’s story, written my Michael Morpurgo and has been adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford. Directed by Tom Morris and Marianne Elliot, this stunning production deals with themes of friendship, loyalty, courage and, persistence. The theme that dominates the most however, is that of a young soldier’s affection for his horse, amidst the nightmare that was the First World War. This tale was originally designed for children but there is nothing childish about the theme or the show in general which uses these realistic and fine-looking puppets to bring this story to life. War Horse is set in the time of the First World War, a time when this was to be the war to end all wars. Just before outbreak of hostilities, we are introduced to a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey. "

Day 10: London - The Imperial War Museum and Free Time

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Millennium Gloucester Hotel

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip: IWM is unique in its coverage of conflicts, especially those involving Britain and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day. We seek to provide for, and to encourage, the study and understanding of the history of modern war and 'wartime experience'. We are proud to be regarded as essential sights of London On-Site Lecture/Field Trip: IWM was founded on 5 March 1917 when the War Cabinet approved a proposal by Sir Alfred Mond MP for the creation of a national war museum to record the events still taking place during the Great War. The intention was to collect and display material as a record of everyone’s experiences during that war - civilian and military - and to commemorate the sacrifices of all sections of society.

Lunch: Lunch at a typical London pub

Afternoon: At leisure to explore London on your own. This is a perfect opportunity to change topic and visit one of the art museums or to just wander along London's many different neighborhoods.

Dinner: on your own to explore local fare

Evening: At leisure.

Day 11: Folkestone, Dover and Ferry to Calais, Lille

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel and check out

Morning: Field Trip The coach departs for Dover via the Tower of London for an exterior view and onwards to Dover. For many of the millions of servicemen making their way to the trenches of World War I it was the last part of Britain they stepped foot on. We continue our journey to France with a stop at the Dover Castle for a view of the Royal Flying Corps memorial and the Royal Artillery and the USA AAA 127th Battery memorial. This monument was erected in memory of all ranks of the Royal Regiment of Artilleryand of the 127 AAA Gun By United States Army who served in the Dover area the monument was dedicated on 5 August 1986. We end the morning by boarding onto the ferry as foot passengers (12:55pm ferry).

Lunch: Lunch on board the ferry

Afternoon: Upon arriving in Calais (3:25pm), we make our way to Lille to check in to our hotel.

Dinner: On your own to explore local restaurants near the hotel

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12: The Western Front, Battles of the Somme, Reims

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Reims Centre Cathedrale

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field trip and an on site presentation: Understanding the Canadian role in WWI and the battle of Vimy Ridge.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant near The Somme.

Afternoon: Field trip and on site presentation to explore the Somme battlefields and learn about the American battles here and the offensives that helped turn the tide of the great war. Later we visit the Somme American Cemetery and Memorial and honor our fallen heros with a wreath laying cemetery.

Dinner: Dinner in the hotel in Reims

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13: Battle of Verdun, French Defensive System and Trenches, Reims

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Mercure Reims Centre Cathedrale

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field trip and on site presentation: The Meuse Argonne Battles. This is an area where Americans saw some of the fiercest battles of the war. We end the morning with a special commemoration at the Meuse- Argonne American Cemetery.

Lunch: Lunch near Verdun

Afternoon: Continue to the Ossuary and cemetery that commemorate the immense loss of life that happend here in 1916. We then visit the Cathedral of Reims. Followed by free time.

Dinner: Excluded.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 14: Reims and Meuse - Argonne in World War I

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Mercure Reims Centre Cathedrale

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field trip and on site presentations: today we explore Verdun and the French monuments to World War I. Verdun became a battle cry for the French to defend from the German and the area around Verdun saw some of the fiercest battles of the war. The area also offers some of the most beautiful monuments and memorial to the war. Explore the Fort Douaumont and the Trenches that remain today. Continue to the Ossuary and cemetery that commemorate the immense loss of life that happened here in 1916.

Lunch: Lunch en route

Afternoon: This afternoon we explore the beautiful Cathedral of Reims, were the Kings of France had to come to be Crowned. Free time in Reims.

Dinner: Dinner on your own

Evening: At leisure.

Day 15: The Americans in the Marne Valley and Farewell Lunch, Paris

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Today we have a late morning departure for the hills of Champagne. We stop at the Caves Mercier for a presentation on Champagne production and vine cultivation. Enjoy a presentation of the making of Champagne and the vine.

Lunch: Special Farewell Champagne Lunch at La Cave a Champagne in Epernay.

Afternoon: This afternoon as we depart the area around Reims, we explore the last of the American Battlefields around Chateau Thierry and Belleau Woods. We end the day with our last commemorative ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial. Continue to our last hotel near to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The only Marriott hotel centrally located in Lower Manhattan, New York City's Financial District, and within walking distance to Wall Street and NYSE.

Queen Mary II: 7 nights Valencia

Queen Mary 2 is the most magnificent ocean liner ever built. Her every detail harkens to the Golden Age of Ocean Travel, while providing one of the most modern travel experiences on earth. From bow to stern, discover 13 spacious decks on which to relax and unwind; to indulge in pleasures and pursuits you never normally have time for. Opulent public areas, extravagant dining rooms, ballrooms, theatres, lounges...even the only Planetarium at sea.

Millennium Gloucester Hotel: 2 nights London

Three restaurants and one bar.

Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place: 1 night Lille

A charming hundred-year old hotel in the heart of Lille. Near railway stations, the Opera, the Grand Square, the Beaux-Arts museum and the Convention/Exhibition Centre. Bar and meeting facilities.

Mercure Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle: 1 night Roissy en France

The Mercure Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Hotel is conveniently located near the airport and offers a free shuttle bus service between the hotel, terminals and RER/TGV train stations from 05:30 a.m. to midnight. The hotel offers a comfortable, stylish setting and a cozy atmosphere.

Start City

New York

End City

Paris

Guides

Andrew Duff

Lt. Col. Andrew Duff attended prestigious Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Royal Anglian Regiment where he commanded operational tours in Cyprus, N. Ireland and Belize. He has military operations, intelligence, security, exercise planning, training major, training officer and head officer of Arctic warfare training under his belt. With his love of military history and his experience, Lt. Col. Duff makes a battlefield come alive as he exposes the story of war from all angles.

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Centenary of World War I: A Voyage of Remembrance on the Queen Mary 2

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